Why AEC Needs More High-Agency Thinkers

How a shift in mindset can drive industry-wide innovation

The architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry is often criticized for its slow pace of innovation. While emerging technologies like AI, automation, and virtual reality (VR) present massive opportunities, the challenge isn’t just about adoption; it’s about mindset. The industry is built on a foundation of stability, risk mitigation, and long-term tenure. But what if that’s exactly what’s holding it back?

The concept of ‘high agency’, a term increasingly used in the tech world, may offer a clue. High-agency individuals don’t just accept the status quo; they push through barriers, create opportunities, and drive transformation. Is the lack of high-agency talent the reason AEC is lagging in innovation? And what would the industry look like if more firms embraced high-agency thinking?

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The Role of High Agency in Innovation

In a recent conversation on KP Unpacked, Jeff sat down with Abby Coleman, an innovation and extended reality specialist at IMEG, to discuss how high-agency thinking is shaping the future of AEC. As a VR and augmented reality expert, Abby is at the forefront of technological disruption in engineering and design.

“I read KP’s article on high agency, and everything about it resonated with me,” Abby said. “I see problems as opportunities, and I know I’m not alone. There are so many inefficiencies in AEC, but we need more people willing to push past roadblocks instead of accepting them as permanent obstacles.”

Abby’s work focuses on integrating VR into project workflows, allowing clients and engineers to experience designs before construction begins. The impact is clear: faster decision-making, fewer costly mistakes, and improved client satisfaction.

“If you’re buying a car, you take it for a test drive,” she explains. “Why aren’t we doing the same for buildings that cost millions or even billions of dollars?”

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The AEC Talent Problem: Too Safe, Too Slow

A recurring theme in KP’s writing, and one that resonates deeply with high-agency individuals like Abby, is that AEC firms prioritize stability over transformation. Employees are often expected to stay at the same company for decades, which fosters deep institutional knowledge but can also stifle innovation.

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“Expecting everyone on your team to have the same ambition as you is unrealistic,” Abby points out. “Some people want to push boundaries, others are comfortable maintaining the status quo. But if you want to drive change, you need a team full of people who think like entrepreneurs.”

In KP’s Sunday Scaries article, he makes a provocative argument: the best companies are often better off hiring high-agency individuals, even if they only stay for a few years, than keeping long-term employees who never push beyond their comfort zone.

“Would you rather have someone deliver four years of high impact or twenty years of mediocrity?” KP asks. “AEC firms tend to choose the latter, and it’s killing innovation.”

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The Future of High-Agency Leadership in AEC

The AEC industry is facing a wave of disruption. Technologies like AI, automation, and immersive digital tools are already changing the way buildings are designed and constructed. But innovation isn’t just about tools. It’s about people.

“I believe VR is going to be one of the biggest disruptors in AEC,” Abby says. “We already know that poor communication and project misalignment cost the industry billions. VR bridges that gap.”

Recent industry data supports her point:

• Over 33% of construction projects exceed their original budgets.

• The annual cost of rework due to poor data and communication is estimated at $280 billion.

• By 2060, the world will be building the equivalent of one New York City every month.

With this level of scale and inefficiency, AEC firms can’t afford to keep doing things the way they always have. High-agency leadership isn’t just desirable; it’s necessary.

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Abby’s Key Takeaways

🚀 On High-Agency Thinking: “Seeing problems as opportunities is a game-changer. AEC needs more people who think this way.”

🔧 On Innovation & Adoption: “Technology is here, but adoption is slow. Firms need to embrace change faster.”

🏗 On the Future of AEC: “We need to break down silos between architecture, engineering, and construction. Integrated firms will win.”

🌍 On Growth Mindset: “The best people push themselves to grow. Surround yourself with those who do the same.”

The next five years will be critical for the AEC industry. Firms that embrace high-agency talent will be the ones leading the transformation.

The question is simple: Will your team be part of the future or be left behind?

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Ignite what's next

We're launching something new... It’s called Catalyst.

It’s a space for AEC forward-thinkers are reimagining what’s next. This is where the top minds in the industry are sharing ideas, leading change, and pushing the future of AEC forward.

Sounds like you? Join the waitlist at kpreddy.co.

Check out one of our Catalyst conversation starters, BIM is DEAD.

Hope to see you there!

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Resources to Explore

• Podcast Episode: Listen to the full episode of KP Unpacked for deeper insights.

• YouTube Episode: Watch the full conversation in action on KP Unpacked.

• Follow KP on LinkedIn: Stay up to date with the latest insights coming directly from one of the most prominent figures in the industry.

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